As we begin a NEW YEAR it is a good to do significant examination of our Spiritual life and our relationship with God. I discovered the following prayer from a book by John Baillie titled” A Diary of Private Prayer”. Upon reading it I realized it provided a well thought our check list for regular examination and new direction for our spiritual lives.

Accompany me today, O Spirit invisible, in all my goings, but stay with me also when I am in my own home and among my kindred. Forbid that I should fail to show to those nearest me the sympathy and consideration which thy grace enables me to show to others with whom I have to do. Forbid that I should refuse to my own household the courtesy and politeness which I think proper to show to strangers.

Leave me not, O gracious Lord, in such hours as I may today devote to the reading of books or of newspapers. Guide my mind to choose the right books and, having chosen them, to read them in the right way. Let all my reading so refresh my mind that I may more eagerly seek after whatever things are pure and fair and true.

Let me have a special sense of thy nearness to me, O God, in such times as I may be able to devote to prayer and to any public exercise of worship through Jesus Christ my Lord. Amen

The 9th of December the Silver Linings had their Christmas Party at Mantoloking Ale House they enjoyed their meal and had a great time of fellowship.

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Pastor Fred and a few volunteers distributed 300 candy canes in 2 hours on December 16. This may have been an all time record for the fastest distribution. J

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Sunday December 17th had the honor of a Christmas Program, put on by the children and directed by Ree. The children did an outstanding job, and of course Ree did as well. Afterwards we had light refreshments down in fellowship hall with a visit from Santa.

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We had two services on December 24th, one at our regular morning worship schedule 11:00 am, and then had a candle light Christmas Eve service in the evening.

will be having a business meeting on January 13th, at the home of Joyce Miller’s at 12:00 pm. Please bring a bag lunch, if you have questions call Joyce at 732-477-4631.

Soup and Movie

On January 20th the board of deacon and deaconess will be hosting soup and movie night starting at 5:00 pm.

Church Council

There will be a church council meeting on Sunday January 21st, immediately following worship service.

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Business Meeting/Luncheon

On January 28th we will have our quarterly business meeting immediately following worship service. Everyone coming is expected to bring a covered dish to share

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Italian Dinner

We will be hosting an Italian Dinner on February 24th. The menu will be spaghetti, sausage, desert and beverage. There is no set cost for the meal but we do ask if you can make a donation/love gift offering. Volunteers needed to help and food donations would be appreciated. Contact Kerri Morey for questions and to volunteer.

1. There will be a morning group meeting at the church at 10:00 a.m. on Wednesday mornings.The pastor will be leading this. We will begin on Wednesday, September 20. We will begin with a study of the book of Jonah. The group will have input on studies that follow.

2. There will be a group meeting on Wednesday evenings at the church. We will meet at 7:00, our usual time and like the morning group will begin with a study of the Book of Jonah.

Let’s study and grow together and prepare ourselves for the future God has for us.

every Thursday evenings at 6:00 PM location is at Ocean Lanes on Rt 88, in Lakewood. You can join at any time

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Children’s Choir Group---

meets on Wednesday evening at 6:30 PM pm here at the church. Open to all so if you have children, grand children and even friends or neighbors it is a great time for the children. Their last night will be in June and they will pick up again in September.

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Adult Choir Group-----

Meet every Wednesday starting Sept. 20, 20017 @ 8:00 PM

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The Silver Linings----

meet on the first Saturday of the month at 12:00 pm. They also enjoy going to different restaurants and doing different activities on the third Saturday of the month. They are the 50 and up group and they seem to be doing and having a lot of fun. Come and join in. For information call 732-477-0324.

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Our MenBreakfast----

continue to have their Fellowship Breakfast; they meet at the Brick Diner, on the second Saturday of the month at 8 am. The ladies are now joining the men so come have some breakfast and great fellowship.

Resolve to “be there”Let our New Year’s resolution be this: We will be there for one

another as fellow members of humanity, in the finest sense of the word.